Rookie Crew Cut Teeth On Yachting Challenge

Sun Herald

Sunday November 21, 2004

By TOM FINDLAY

FOR 10 Melbourne University students, their end-of-year exams pale in comparison to the challenge that awaits them on Boxing Day.

Chris Lewin will lead a crew of would-be lawyers, architects, scientists and engineers aboard the appropriately named Another Challenge in this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Lewin, a 21-year-old arts and engineering student who has cut back on his studies to fit extra training into his busy schedule, is an experienced and accomplished open-water yachtsman.

But he admits the racing calendar's glamour event presents an entirely different challenge to any he has experienced in the past.

"None of us have ever done a Sydney to Hobart before," he said. "I have done the Fastnet [UK equivalent] but never something like this."

With an average age of 21, Lewin's team comprising three women and seven men is one of the youngest yet to compete in the race. The oldest crew member is just 23 but that hasn't deterred them.

"Basically the decision came at Easter last year," Lewin said. "We just figured we had a group at uni who would be able to do it and wanted a bit of a challenge.

"We put together a good offshore racing team and have since formed a tight-knit unit. I think we will surprise a few people along the way, too."

Lewin and his youthful brigade are so determined to prove they have what it takes to master the race, in particular the notorious Bass Strait, that they are taking the remarkable step of sailing the entire course beforehand.

"Another Challenge will probably sail out from Sydney Harbour on November 27," Lewin said. "We are going to do the whole trip, mainly for experience. I am confident we won't have any problems."

Keeping a close eye on the Sydney 38 boat and her crew will be rival skipper Lou Abrahams, who has lent the yacht to the ambitious students.

Abrahams enjoyed considerable success aboard Another Challenge, third in the IRC and IMS divisions two years ago, and will be looking for more again this year on his new boat Challenge.

"We always wanted a Sydney 38," Lewin said. "We went up to Sydney and found that Lou Abrahams had this second-hand boat and we offered to charter it for four months from him, or until another buyer becomes available.

"He was keen to do that. I think we will go really well. We will certainly surprise a few people."

The journey to Sydney Harbour has been difficult for Lewin, whose campaign got off to a shaky start with Melbourne University's reluctance to back the project. However, the uni is now giving its full support.

"Initially we found the university was a bit sceptical, but after 10 months they could see that we were serious and have helped fund a lot of the project, which has been great," Lewin said.

"The boat itself belonged to Lou and is on loan for the time being so, basically, we are sailing for five-sixteenths of nothing."

© 2004 Sun Herald

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